Attendance Allowance and care home fees

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, or supervision to keep them safe, because of an illness or disability. It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The basics

• It is not means-tested, so income and savings do not affect it.
• It is not taxable.
• It is paid at two rates, depending on whether help is needed during the day or night, or both. Check GOV.UK for the current rates.
• The person does not need a diagnosis, and does not need to have someone caring for them already.
• People with a terminal illness can claim under special rules, which are quicker.

How to claim

Claim using the form on GOV.UK, or call the Attendance Allowance helpline to ask for a paper form. Age UK and Citizens Advice can help fill it in. It helps to describe a typical day and the help needed, with examples.

In a care home

What happens depends on who pays for the care:

• If the person pays for their own care, they can usually keep getting Attendance Allowance in a care home. It can help towards the fees.
• If the council helps pay for the care, Attendance Allowance usually stops after 28 days in the care home.

Tell the Attendance Allowance office when someone moves into a care home, goes into hospital, or when their care is funded differently.

Other benefits

Someone getting Attendance Allowance may also qualify for extra Pension Credit, or a carer may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if they look after them at home. A benefits check from Age UK or Citizens Advice can help.

Read our overview of paying for a care home.